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Hangover Cures—What the Scientists Say

Mar 19, 2011 08:10 PM

Your roommate swears by 'hair of the dog' or chugging raw eggs and tomato juice, but do these hangover cures actually work? What do the scientists say?

1. Hair of the Dog—DELAYING THE INEVITABLE

Tropical cocktail garnished with green onions and a cherry on a marble surface.

You couldn't be more disgusted thinking about taking another sip of frozen margarita, but you'd do anything to get rid of your raging headache. But, scientists say that hair of the dog only delays the inevitable. One of the reasons hangover happens is because the liver can't keep up with the toxins it's metabolizing. So, adding more makes you chipper for your morning appointment, but actually worse for your 8 hour work day.

2. Fried or Fatty Foods—IT'S TOO LATE NOW

Freshly fried doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar on a checkered plate.

A huge plate of french fries with donuts on the side might sound like heaven right now, but scientists say fatty foods can only irritate the stomach the morning after. Gorging on fatty foods before drinking would have been the way to go—fat sticks to the stomach lining and slows down the absorption of alcohol in the bloodstream, making you drunk slower but less hungover. Better luck next time.

3. Egg cocktail—A REAL REMEDY

Raw egg in a glass with an eggshell on a countertop.

Eating in general is good. Food speeds up your body's metabolism which helps flush out all those toxins. But, a chicken bacon egg sandwich is especially helpful. Protein breaks down into amino acids which gets your neurotransmitters going in your brain so you can start to think clearly again.

4. Black Coffee—A FALSE PROMISE

Cup of black coffee on a white saucer.

It sure hypes you up a bit, but does caffeine fix the problem? Nope. Caffeine is a diuretic, just like alcohol and can dehydrate you even more. Dehydration leads to headache and fatigue and will prolong your hangover brain fuzziness.

5. Fruit Juice—HELPFUL C

Fresh orange juice with whole and sliced oranges.

The fructose in fruit gives you energy and can increase the rate at which the body gets rid of toxins. Also, drinking fruit juice replaces those vitamins and nutrients that you lost due to alcohol's diuretic effects. Overall, a good step towards normalcy.

6. Water—DEHYDRATION ELIMINATION

Water being poured from a bottle into a glass.

You're dehydrated, whether you know it or not. Dehydration is what's making you feel fatigued and may be making your head pound. Chug water. Water curbs dehydration, of course, and can help dilute the alcohol left over in your stomach so your liver will be less overwhelmed. And, if you add a bit of sugar and salt to your water—bam—electrolyte fix.

SOURCE Discovery Health, Telegraph

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